just over a year ago, I found this 98 xj in town...all smashed up, the owner wanted $1300 for it. I said no way, call me back when you're more realistic. well, he called back this past friday and wanted $600. I said maybe, but I'd have to look closer...called back and we've agreed on $450.

it's a 98 4.0 5 speed (external slave) np231 (sealed output) 29 spline 8.25, 4x4, 3.07's. all power, cruise, tilt, air only thing it doesn't have is heated seats. 1000 miles ago it got a new radiator, h20 pump, radiator hoses, heater hoses, and thermostat. it runs GREAT and drives good considering the bent front axle.

it was hit pretty hard up front. the bumper is pushed 1.5" to the passenger side. the top and bottom of the frame rails are square, and measurements show they're in the proper spots. the sides, however, of the rail on the drivers side, are rippled. the steering box is tilted toward the driver's side by around 15 degrees. looking at it, the lower bolt holes got divoted in on the frame rail, but the top bolt hole for the steering box is still in the proper location. I think I can straighten it with a winch and a hammer to tap and relieve stress to realign the molecules. then perhaps reinforce it with a inner and outer frame plate. the front axle is bent, too...but I'm not going to cry about that.

it also got hit in the rear left quarter at some point, and there are a couple ripples where the rear liftgate mounts to the roof, and one on each side in front of the rear side windows. so it's not a "restoration" type jeep...it would be a beater. the body is, luckily, still square. all of the doors seal and close.

I'll post the pics below, but basically I'm wondering if you would strip and scrap it, or if you would toss the 4.5" lift I have laying around, with the 3.73 axles I have in it, 31's, and beat on it. my wheeling truck is getting stripped and rebuilt this summer, so I won't have a wheeling rig unless I do this.

 

For that price if it runs good I would get it and if the front axle is bent those arent to hard to find, it dont have to be pretty to wheal the hell out of it.

 

X2!

 

Interior looks great. Looks like the jeep has a lot a lot of potential to be great again.

 

Fixable...... I could live with the dent in the back as is.. put a couple hundred in it in front end pieces and your back in business.

 

I already have everything to fix the jeep,conveniently enough...so that's one nice part of this whole thing.

to be sure, this thing WILL get stripped. it's just a matter of how hard I beat it before I strip it. the amount of $$$ I will have into it turns it into an instant parts cache IMHO...but my wheeler will be down for the summer, and I need something to toss a halfass lift in to wheel, while I'm properly building the wheeler comanche...again lol. I am just sick of the wheel-break-fix BS. do it right and I won't have to fix it every time I go wheeling.

 

get it it's a stick! and cheap!
(u and ur lucky finds!! )